Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Acer palmatum Sango Kaku is a well-known Japanese maple cultivar with the most unusual coral-pink young stems. This colour display teamed with the bright green spring foliage and the superb yellow to apricot autumn foliage ensures an elegant tree for the garden or park. Take care to plant the bud union above the soil level. Fertilize when planting and again after new growth appears. Prune when planting to encourage new growth.

Soil: Well-drained and well-worked soil
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, protect from hot winds. Frost hardy.
Size: Height 6m x width 5m

Cotinus coggygria Dusky Maiden is a compact and striking Smoke Bush valued for its deep purple foliage and its distinctive, airy flower plumes that create a soft, smoky effect through the warmer months. In spring, new leaves emerge a rich burgundy and hold their colour well into summer. Early in the season, clusters of tiny pale pink to purple flowers rise above the foliage and develop into the large, misty plumes that give the plant its name. As summer moves into autumn, these billowy plumes mature into smoky seed heads, while the foliage shifts to brilliant shades of red and orange before falling. In winter, the plant becomes bare and structural, with its leafless stems adding shape and contrast to the seasonal landscape. Ideal for borders, hedges or as a standalone feature, it brings bold colour and graceful texture to the garden.

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Drought, frost, and coastal tolerant. Shelter from searing heat and wind.
Size: Height 1.5m x width 1.5m

The Granny Smith Apple produces a medium to large fruit with a tart-tangy flavour, bright green skin and crisp white flesh. Depending on your tastes, it is arguably one of the best apples for eating, and a good cooking apple because of its ability to retain flavour. The tree is a visual treat with a profusion of pink-white flowers in mid-spring. The blossoms are draped in clusters along the branches and are a magical sight to behold. As a bonus to the sumptuous display, the flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Granny Smith requires another apple variety close by for pollination. Suitable pollinators include Red Delicious, Gala and Pink Lady.

Soil: Grows in a variety of soils, and prefers heavy loams.
Conditions: Prefers full sun to part shade. Frost tolerant. Cold tolerant to -35C.
Size: Height 3-6m x width 2-5m

Zelkova serrata ‘Schmidtlow’ Wireless is a beautiful low, broad-spreading deciduous tree originating from Japan. In spring, the tree bursts forth with bright green foliage creating a broad vase-shaped canopy, then turns to orangey-bronze-red tones during autumn. Wireless is commonly planted under powerlines or where height is a restriction. Plant along a driveway or street for a lovely canopy or tunnel-like feel. This is a low-maintenance tree which holds its shape quite well but pruning can be completed in late winter once the extreme cold has passed.

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Heat, frost, pollution and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 7m x width 9m

Wisteria Violacea Plena is a hardy, fast-growing Japanese climber that will create a beautiful focal point with stunning pendulous racemes of long flowers that can grow up to 1m long. Violacea Plena bears masses of semi-double mauve flowers with a light fragrance in early spring and spectacular autumn foliage colour. It will need strong support and is perfect for growing over a pergola or arch, on walls or fences or along a verandah. 

Soil: Moist and well-drained soil. This species will also tolerate clay and sandy soils.
Conditions: Full sun or partial shade. Moderately frost and salt tolerant.
Size: Height 9m x width 6m

The Pyrus Edgedell Edgewood Ornamental Pear is a standout choice for adding year-round structure and seasonal beauty to landscapes. Renowned for its tidy, conical to pyramidal form, this hardy and durable tree suits a wide range of settings—from home gardens to streetscapes and public plantings. In spring, it delivers a brilliant display of crisp white blossoms that create a soft, cloud-like effect along its branches. As the seasons shift, mid-green foliage provides a fresh summer canopy before transforming into rich tones of red and purple in autumn, offering a striking seasonal finale. Compact in size compared to larger pears, Edgedell Edgewood is particularly valued as a feature tree where space is limited. Its neat shape and resilience make it a reliable option for parks, car parks, and urban environments where both form and toughness are essential.

Soil: Tolerant of most soil types, including heavy and poor soils.
Conditions: Full sun. Coastal, pollution and frost tolerant.
Size: Height 8m x width 6m

Nyssa sylvatica, commonly known as Tupelo, is a deciduous tree with unique characteristics. It showcases a pyramidal or oval crown and glossy, dark green leaves that turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn, offering year-round visual interest. In spring, inconspicuous greenish flowers appear, which are followed by small, blue-black fruits that attract wildlife. Tulepo can make a substantial addition to Australian landscapes with its stunning autumn foliage and ecological value.

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun. Tolerates cold to -10C, heat, and wet conditions.
Size: Height 18m x width 8m

Syringa vulgaris Primrose Lilac is a beautiful deciduous shrub known for its abundant single, scented blooms. The flower buds appear in mid to late spring in tight heads as a creamy white,  before opening to a pale yellow to creamy white. The flowers can take on a more golden tone as they age. This upright shrub with green heart-shaped leaves makes a captivating addition to any garden, providing a burst of colour and scent. This is an excellent plant for the smaller garden, it can be used as a hedge, or as a feature plant in the garden border or in the lawn.
Prune after flowering to remove spent blooms and shape the plant.

Soil: Well-drained soil with added mulch
Conditions: Full sun. Cold and pollution tolerant.
Size: Height 2-3.5m x width 1.8-3m